A Cheektowaga developmental aide was arrested and arraigned on charges for allegedly abusing a woman in her care on Friday.
Cassandra Neasman-Young of the Western New York Developmental Disabilities Services Office (DDSO) pleaded not guilty to endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person and to harassment in the second degree.
On May 10, Neasman-Young allegedly called the victim an expletive, grabbed her by the hair and slammed her head against a bus window.
"Vulnerable New Yorkers, like this victim, who have a developmental disability should never be demeaned or mistreated by staff entrusted to care for them," said Special Prosecutor Gunning. "We commend the work of the Cheektowaga Police Department, which investigated and gathered the evidence in this case that led to this arrest."
Neasman-Young is due back in court on August 8 and has been placed on administrative leave.
If Neasman-Young is placed on a registry for people who are responsible for serious or repeated acts of abuse and neglect, known as the "Staff Exclusion List," or SEL, the law will prohibit her from ever working with people with disabilities or special needs again.
